The MRes Data Science is a multidisciplinary course that allows students to specialise in one of three areas relevant to today's digital economy.

Industry is currently facing a large shortfall of people who have the skills to process data in a developed way. The pathways on offer within this advanced course will enable you to engage with technology in a way that meets the ever-evolving demands and requirements of the data revolution.

Depending on your chosen subject area, you will graduate with one of the following qualifications:

MRes Computer Science

MRes Data Science

MRes Statistics

The course is suitable for students who have enjoyed the research components of their undergraduate degree and wish to prepare for a research-based career. It also offers excellent preparation for Doctoral study. Likewise, it is appropriate for people who are already working and who wish to either develop their research skills or undertake a research project to enhance their continued professional development.

Real world research skills

This Masters degree will equip you with the skills necessary to undertake sustained, independent and innovative research. You will gain the confidence to work in creative and flexible ways, and develop the ability to plan, produce and present rigorous, independent and theoretically informed studies. It also fosters the development of essential professional skills to enhance your employability, such as self-management, team work, problem solving and communication.

The taught components of the course provide a balance between training in interdisciplinary research methods and subject specific research under the supervision of UWE Bristol's active research specialists. Alongside these, you will put your skills into practice by conducting a supervised independent extended research project.

Within the taught modules, there will be a seminar programme delivered by academics and practitioners from inside and outside UWE Bristol. You will be expected to present on your own research, using skills learnt in the taught modules and gaining valuable communication experience in the process.

For the final extended research project, you can choose to engage with ongoing research from one of UWE Bristol's specialist research groups or to embark on a new project relating to or inspired by your particular interests. In either case, this may relate to your current or future employment.

Flexible learning options

This Masters is available as a full-time or part-time course with a high degree of flexibility. The taught modules are delivered on one day a week, making it suitable for day release study.

Content

The course consists of two taught modules. You will then undertake a supervised extended research project in one of the available subject areas.

Research Design and Methodologies (30 credits) covers qualitative and quantitative research methods, their use and analysis.

Research in Context (30 credits) a subject specific module designed to develop your research skills through reviewing, evaluating and presenting independently generated research material relevant to your extended project. Includes library skills development.

Extended Research Project (120 credits) allows you to investigate a relevant research topic in detail, working with a research supervisor and drawing on the skills developed in the taught modules.

Please note this structure is for the full-time course delivery only. For part-time delivery, the same modules will be studied. However, the structure will differ.

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved we will inform you.

Learning and Teaching

The course is designed to allow students to develop transferable research skills and then put them into practice under the supervision of active researchers. You will work both individually and in teams to build your skills.

The teaching staff includes researchers from UWE Bristols active research groups, including the Applied Statistics Group, Bristol Robotics Lab, Bristol Bioenergy Centre, The Institute of Biosensing Technology, the Artificial Intelligence Group, Software Engineering Research Group and the Centre for Complex Cooperative Systems.

Additionally, there may be contributions by practitioners from industry, giving you valuable insights into real world practices, challenges and issues.

Study time

The MRes degree can be taken as either a one year full-time or two years part-time course.

The taught component of the course is delivered on one day a week during term one. If studying full-time, you will be expected to complete your extended research project during term two. For those studying part-time, you will have a further year to complete your extended project. This enables you to schedule your study time around work and other commitments.

Assessment

We will use a variety of assessment tools throughout the course. These include coursework, a portfolio, written exams and an extended research project.

Careers / Further study

The course will prepare you to step into a wide range of research-focused roles across all types of industry. It is designed with the flexibility to allow you to target both skills and subject matter towards a particular career trajectory or to your current employment.

Supplementary fee information

Entry requirements

We normally require an honours degree of 2.1 or above (or the equivalent if it is a non-UK degree) in a relevant subject.

With your application you should submit a 300-500 word draft project proposal to include a project title, aim or research question, possible methods and six relevant references.

You may be invited to informal interview, where your proposal will be discussed and appropriate optional modules selected. International students who are not able to attend an informal interview may be interviewed electronically or by telephone.